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Schistosomiasis 901.e3

• A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED
for the detection of DNA from the ova in Comments READINGS
VetBooks.ir • Indirect hemagglutination is not commer- Because this larval trematode is rare, diagnosis Flowers JR, et al: Heterobilharzia americana infection Diseases and Disorders
host feces (http://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab).
in a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc 220:193-196, 2002.
can be challenging. A pathologist or parasitolo-
cially available.
Fradkin JM, et al: Elevated parathyroid hormone-
TREATMENT gist at a veterinary diagnostic laboratory may related protein and hypercalcemia in two dogs
be called on to assist in the definitive diagnosis
with schistosomiasis. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc
of the parasite. 37(4):349-355, 2001.
Treatment Overview Le Donne V, et al: Cytologic diagnosis of Heterobil-
Eliminate adult male and female schistosomes Prevention harzia americana infection in a liver aspirate from
within blood vasculature. Prevent dogs and cats from roaming and coming a dog. Vet Pathol 53:633-636, 2016.
into contact with freshwater aquatic environ- Rohrer CR, et al: Hypercalcemia in a dog: a chal-
Acute and Chronic General ments (large stationary or slow-moving bodies lenging case. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 36(1):20-25,
2000.
Treatment of water) inhabited by the snail intermediate Rodriguez JY, et al: Distribution and characterization
• Praziquantel 25 mg/kg PO q 8h × 2 days; host. of Heterobilharzia americana in dogs in Texas. Vet
nausea and vomiting may be side effects. Parasitol 203:35-42, 2014.
• Fenbendazole 40 mg/kg PO q 24h × 10 days, Technician Tips Rodriguez JY, et al: Identification of Heterobilharzia
repeat in 3 weeks and again in 3 months. • If fecal test results are negative, fecal smears americana infection in a dog residing in Indiana
should be repeated on multiple occasions with no history of travel. J Am Vet Med Assoc
Nutrition/Diet because of intermittent shedding of ova in 248:827-830, 2016.
Bland, high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets that host feces. Ronald NC, et al: Fenbendazole for the treatment
of Heterobilharzia americana infection in dogs. J
are easily digested are recommended until GI • Fecal flotation and sedimentation techniques Am Vet Med Assoc 182(2):172, 1983.
signs abate. may offer low/no yield because the thin-
walled eggs burst.
Possible Complications RELATED CLIENT EDUCATION
Adult blood flukes may be killed en masse Client Education SHEETS
and then embolize the portal system (large To avoid infection in endemic areas, dogs
infections). should not be allowed to roam freely, avoiding Consent to Perform Abdominal Ultrasound
contact with infested waters. Consent to Perform Endoscopy, Upper GI
Recommended Monitoring (Gastroduodenoscopy)
• Serum liver values ± liver function tests SUGGESTED READING How to Collect a Fecal Sample
• May repeat PCR on feces to ensure that it Johnson EM: Canine schistosomiasis in North AUTHOR: Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD
is negative after treatment America: an underestimated disease with an EDITOR: Joseph Taboada, DVM, DACVIM
expanding distribution. Compend Contin Educ
PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME Vet 32(3):1-4, 2010.
Generally good, barring complications of
massive parasite kill

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